Hong Con

Published:16:00Thursday 06 October 2011

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Humberside Police have received a report of a member of the public receiving a letter purporting to be from Hong Kong, and suggesting that the recipient of the letter was due to receive a large amount of money.

The letter stated that it was sent from a bank in Hong Kong, and that the recipient was due to receive a substantial amount of inheritance money - all they had to do was email or telephone the company to claim their money.

Detective Inspector Tony Cockerill, Beverley CID, said: “Letters like this one are too good to be true - and that’s what I would advise members of the public to question if they are the recipient of a letter or email similar to this one.

“The letter stated that the recipient should contact the sender to receive the money, but in this case the recipient contacted the police - and that’s exactly what I would suggest other recipients do.

“Sadly, we receive many reports of scams like this one, but thankfully most people see them for what they are, and report them to the police without giving away their personal or banking details.

“I would urge all residents to be vigilant and, if you have elderly relatives or neighbours, please ask them to be aware of this scam.

“Never reveal your personal or banking details over the telephone, and if you suspect the company may be fraudulent, contact the police.

“Banks and financial institutions will never ask the public to give out account or security information over the telephone or email.”

Anyone with any information about this or other scams, is asked to contact Humberside Police on 0845 60 60 222, or Crimestoppers anonymously on 0800 555 111.

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